KOZHIKODE: MP Veerendra Kumar (83), former Union Minister and Managing Director of 'Mathrubhumi', passed away on Thursday night at a private hospital in Kozhikode following a heart attack.

A current member of the Rajya Sabha, Veerendra Kumar had also represented Kozhikode constituency in the Lok Sabha. He was the state president of Loktantrik Janata Dal political party and is also known as a writer and philosopher. Veerendra Kumar had also served as the first convener of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state.

Born as the son of Socialist Party leader and former MLA Padmaprabha Gowder and Marudevi Amma on July 22, 1936, at Kalpetta in Wayanad, he had served as Minister of State for Finance and Labour.

Veerendra Kumar has won several prestigious awards such as the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award, Odakuzhal award, Swadeshabhinani award, Moortidevi Award etc.

He is survived by wife Usha, daughters Asha, Nisha, Jayalakshmi and son MV Shreyams Kumar (Joint Managing Director of Mathrubhumi). His last rites will be held on Friday.